SACRAMENTO: Legislation authored by Senator Bob Huff (R-San Dimas) that will lead to faster reports of possible child abuse and neglect cases passed its final test in the State Senate today, and will be sent to the Governor for his signature consideration. SB 478, sponsored by Los Angeles County and the County Welfare Directors Association, would amend current state law to allow specified mandated reporters to make initial reports of non-emergency child abuse or neglect to the Child Protection Agency through a detailed and comprehensive online report.

“This is a measure that is long overdue,” said Senator Huff. “Cumbersome wait times on the phone hinder reporting and timely investigations. Under current law, a mandated reporter must make an initial report of child abuse or neglect to the Child Protection Agency by telephone. Yet these mandated reporters have often been stuck on hold for periods of 45 minutes to several hours, and must call back if they can’t get through.”

Child welfare agencies continue to grapple with significant increases in the volume of child abuse and neglect reports being made by telephone with approximately 200,000 calls per year to the Los Angeles County’s Child Protection Hotline alone. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services indicates that mandated reporters in the fields of law enforcement, medicine, and education are currently requesting an online reporting option for hotline calls in the county.

SB 478 creates a voluntary pilot program for certain geographic counties, specified by the Department of Social Services and the County Welfare Directors Association, where non-emergency online reports of possible child abuse and neglect can be reported quickly and more efficiently.

“This pilot program is absolutely essential for the well-being of so many at-risk kids,” said Senator Huff. ‘By virtually eliminating wait times, an online reporting system will increase efficiencies at every level of the non-emergency and emergency response services. SB 478 will be an excellent resource to help county social workers assess and respond to child abuse and neglect cases in a timely manner.”

SB 478 has earned the support of the Children’s Law Center of CA, California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee (CalSPAC), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Urban Counties Caucus (UCC).